Air Force expands parental leave for new parents

The Air Force has announced an expansion of parental leave for fathers, same-sex couples, and adoptive and surrogate parents. (File photo)

The Air Force on Friday announced an expansion of parental leave for fathers, same-sex couples, and adoptive and surrogate parents.

Female airmen who give birth were previously allowed to take 12 consecutive weeks of maternity convalescent leave, according to a release Friday. Airmen whose spouse gave birth also were previously allowed to take 10 days of non-chargeable leave.

Now, the release said, the Air Force will offer three forms of non-chargeable leave: Six weeks of maternity leave, six weeks of primary caregiver leave, and three weeks of secondary caregiver leave.

But caregiver leave is given in addition to convalescent leave, meaning that the total amount of leave birth mothers can take won’t change.

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The Air Force in 2016 doubled the amount of maternity leave from six weeks to 12. In 2015, when the Navy tripled its leave to 18 weeks, former Secretary Deborah Lee James said she hoped to do the same.

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